1951 Map of Fairfield

About this map

The low-lying coastal plains of Hyde County meet the northern shore of Lake Mattamuskeet in this mid-century survey of the Fairfield area. The landscape is defined by a dense network of drainage canals and the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge boundary, which skirts the water's edge. To the north, the Intracoastal Waterway follows the Alligator River, connected to the agricultural interior by the Pungo River Canal and the Fairfield Bridge. Small rural centers such as Carmur and the community surrounding Star Zion Ch and Bethlehem Ch are positioned along the primary roads leading toward the lake. The presence of Ruins east of Carmur and the extensive canal system reflect a region deeply shaped by large-scale land reclamation efforts and the maritime commerce of the Alligator River basin.